On this page
According to a Nov 8 WorkBuddy team notice carried by The Paper’s media channel (the page credits Tencent WorkBuddy WeChat as the source), WorkBuddy apologized for not announcing a DeepSeek-V4.1 Flash discount change in time and set out a credit-difference refund for a short closed window. This is a compensation bulletin, not a new product launch night, and not a promise that half-price pricing continues going forward.
Background: half-price promo, then list price restored
On Sep 10, WorkBuddy launched DeepSeek-V4.1 Flash and opened a two-week half-price credit experience that was originally due to end on Sep 24. The team later extended the promo through Nov 5, and states that from Nov 5 14:00 the model returned to list price. Because that adjustment was not announced to users in time, WorkBuddy says the change caused confusion and offers an apology in the same notice.
The Paper reprint page that embeds the notice shows a Nov 9 14:11 display time on the site, while the notice itself is signed WorkBuddy team / Nov 8, 2026. Those two dates are different: the compensation terms come from the Nov 8 notice text; the Nov 9 stamp is when The Paper’s media page showed the story.
Compensation window and the 50% credit return
The notice covers accounts that used DeepSeek-V4.1 Flash between Nov 5 14:00 and Nov 8 23:59. For credit spend on that model in that window, WorkBuddy will settle the consumption at half of list price. The difference—described as 50% of the credits actually consumed—will be returned in full.
Two boundaries matter for reading the offer correctly. First, the return is credits, not cash. Second, the notice frames a settlement for that closed window; it does not say DeepSeek-V4.1 Flash stays at half price after the window, and list price is already described as restored from Nov 5 14:00.
No application; about 7 business days
Accounts do not need to apply. The notice says the system will calculate and return the credits automatically, with arrival expected within about 7 business days, and asks people to watch for the return. The notice does not say every account is owed a refund, or that any balance has already landed—arrival status is left to each account’s own records.
Timezone not marked
The notice prints 14:00 and 23:59 but does not mark a timezone. It does not name a city clock, a region rule, or a validity period for returned credits beyond those times.
Related reading (different topic)
For a separate look at where DeepSeek V4.1 Flash can be used for free—including WorkBuddy among free-access channels—see Where to Use DeepSeek V4.1 Flash for Free. WorkBuddy and Huawei's CodeArts Both Offer It. That piece maps free channels; the Nov 8 credit-difference compensation covers the closed Nov 5–8 paid window.